A viable global NaV1.7− / −
knockout mouse is disclosed, and a breeding colony of global NaV1.7− / − knockout mice. Also disclosed are an isolated mouse
gamete that does not
encode a functional NaV1.7− / −, produced by the NaV1.7− / −
knockout mouse; an isolated NaV1.7− / − mouse
cell, or a progeny
cell thereof, isolated from the NaV1.7− / −
knockout mouse; and a
primary cell culture or a secondary
cell line and a tissue or organ explant or culture thereof derived from the NaV1.7− / − knockout mouse. Disclosed also are a hybridoma, wherein the hybridoma was originally formed from the fusion of the isolated NaV1.7− / − mouse cell mouse cell and a
myeloma cell, and a method of making an
antibody. Also disclosed are assays useful for screening prospective NaV1.7 inhibitors and
dose ranging a test NaV17 inhibitor compound, which were validated using the NaV1.7− / − knockout mouse.